Abstract 1725: Preclinical evaluation of RM-042, an orally bioavailable inhibitor of GTP-RAS, in models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Urszula N. Wasko, Stephen A. Sastra, Carmine F. Palermo, David Wildes, Mallika Singh, Kenneth P. Olive
Journal: Cancer Research (2023)

Abstract Approximately 95% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cases are driven by activating mutations in KRAS, accounting for over 45,000 deaths per year in the US. In KRAS-mutant cells, KRAS protein exists predominantly in an active, GTP-bound state, leading to excessive oncogenic signaling via RAF/MEK/ERK and other effector pathways. After decades of anticipation, the first therapeutic inhibitors of this oncoprotein target a specific mutant allele (KRASG12C) and have shown promising results in this rare subset of human PDAC patients (1-2% of cases). While these encouraging clinical results bolster support for targeting RAS in human PDAC, most patients harbor KRASG12D and KRASG12V mutations and remain unserved by targeted therapies. Here we report preclinical studies of RM-042, a first-in-class, potent, oral, small molecule inhibitor of GTP-bound RAS proteins, designed to treat cancers driven by a variety of RAS mutations. RMC-6236, a clinical candidate and RM-042, a tool compound, both act through non-covalent binding to an abundant intracellular chaperone protein, cyclophilin A (CypA), resulting in a binary complex that engages GTP-bound RAS to form a high-affinity, RAS-selective tri-complex that sterically inhibits RAS binding to effectors.We examined the anti-tumor activity of RM-042 in two complementary preclinical model systems of PDAC. Using primary human PDAC explant cultures, we found that RM-042 potently inhibits phospho-ERK expression (a marker of KRAS/RAF/MEK pathway activity), in a concentration-dependent manner and was associated with reduced viability and altered stromal content. Pilot short-term studies in the K-rasLSL.G12D/+, p53LSL.R172H/+, Pdx1Cretg/+ (KPC) mouse model of PDAC found that RM-042 induced initial tumor stabilizations and regressions associated with loss of pERK expression, in association with increased apoptosis and reduced proliferation, at tolerated doses. However, tumors collected at endpoints showed re-established pERK expression, suggesting activation of resistance/adaptation mechanisms. Ongoing studies will determine pharmacokinetic properties of RM-042 in the autochthonous PDAC mouse model, as well as the duration of tumor responses and evaluate a potential survival benefit provided by RM-042. Regulatory network analysis of single cell RNA sequencing performed on these tumors at multiple timepoints will provide a mechanistic understanding of the regulatory proteins that drive responses in each cell type in the tumors. Through this approach, we will assess the regulatory adaptations that occur as tumors initially respond and as they escape. Together, these studies provide complementary evidence from in vivo murine and ex vivo human models for promising anti-tumor activity in response to GTP-RAS inhibition, supporting the inclusion of PDAC patients in ongoing and future clinical trials of RMC-6236. Citation Format: Urszula N. Wasko, Stephen A. Sastra, Carmine F. Palermo, David Wildes, Mallika Singh, Kenneth P. Olive. Preclinical evaluation of RM-042, an orally bioavailable inhibitor of GTP-RAS, in models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 1725.